One Ball State Day 2026 has ended!
One Ball State Day 2026
School of Journalism and Strategic Communication
One Ball State Day 2026 has ended!
00
HRS
:
00
MIN
:
00
SEC
School of Journalism and Strategic Communication
The Journalism Department at Ball State University created 'The Phoenix,' an alumni newsletter dedicated to spreading student, faculty, and alumni success throughout the Ball State Community. This One Ball State Day, the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication upholds this rich tradition.
Learn more about the stories above:
- Watch the 2025 Louie Awards Livestream or view highlights from the event on the SJSC Instagram
- Check out the awards won by students at The Agency at Cardinal Media
- Learn about the New to the Nest iniative
- Read more about George Clinton's session from the Ball State Daily News
On this One Ball State Day, please consider supporting our amazing students by donating to one of our funds! Follow the success of the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication’s students, faculty, and alumni on our social media channels.
School of Journalism and Strategic Communication
Center for Emerging Media Design and Development
Share your Cardinal pride using #OneBallState
Our Donors
Morning Leaderboard
The four departments/units/teams with the most donors by 10 a.m. receives $3,000, $2,000, $1,000, and $500 in challenge funds.
| Rank | Prize | Department/Unit/Team | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3,000 | Theatre & Dance | 131 |
| 2 | $2,000 | Indiana Academy | 86 |
| 3 | $1,000 | Field Hockey | 70 |
| 4 | $500 | Communication Studies | 56 |
| 5 | Football | 48 | |
| 6 | Student Emergency Aid Fund | 33 | |
| 7 | Soccer | 31 | |
| 8 | Accounting | 27 | |
| 9 | Gymnastics | 24 | |
| 10 | Rinker Center for Global Affairs | 24 | |
| 11 | School of Music | 23 | |
| 12 | Men's Golf | 21 | |
| 13 | Men's Basketball | 21 | |
| 14 | Men's Tennis | 19 | |
| 15 | Men's Volleyball | 17 |
Ended
College Donor Leaderboard
The college that has the most donors by midnight will receive $5,000 in challenge funds.
| Rank | Prize | Department | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5,000 | College of Fine Arts | 723 |
| 2 | Teachers College | 670 | |
| 3 | College of Communication, Information, and Media | 512 | |
| 4 | Miller College of Business | 429 | |
| 5 | College of Sciences and Humanities | 399 | |
| 6 | College of Health | 286 | |
| 7 | Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning | 190 |
Ended
Academic Department Gift Leaderboard
The three academic departments with the most gifts by midnight receive $5,000, $3,000 and $1,000 in challenge funds.
| Rank | Prize | Department | Gifts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5,000 | Theatre & Dance | 699 |
| 2 | $3,000 | Communication Studies | 290 |
| 3 | $1,000 | School of Music | 204 |
| 4 | Accounting | 158 | |
| 5 | Center for Information & Communication Sciences | 111 | |
| 6 | Special Education | 108 | |
| 7 | Department of Media | 87 | |
| 8 | Department of Marketing | 67 | |
| 9 | Nutrition & Health Science | 64 | |
| 10 | Urban Planning | 63 | |
| 11 | School of Nursing | 59 | |
| 12 | School of Journalism and Strategic Communication | 58 | |
| 13 | Educational Leadership | 55 | |
| 14 | History | 52 | |
| 15 | School of Kinesiology | 50 |
Ended
Who is giving?
Which part of the Ball State family is making the biggest impact on One Ball State Day?
| Rank | Answer | Donors |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alumni | 2,210 |
| 2 | Friend | 911 |
| 3 | Employee | 828 |
| 4 | Parent | 712 |
| 5 | Student | 441 |
| 6 | Young Alumni (2016-2026) | 242 |
| 7 | Indiana Academy Alum | 112 |
| 8 | Emeritus/Retired | 71 |
| 9 | Burris Alum | 15 |
Ended
Dash & Splash Leaderboard
Dash & Splash participant who has the most gifts between 12–1 p.m. will win $1,000 for the fund they’re racing for.
| Rank | Prize | Fund | Gifts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,000 | Registrar General | 44 |
| 2 | Online Student Support Fund | 21 | |
| 3 | Indiana Academy General Fund | 11 | |
| 4 | Elementary Education General | 9 | |
| 5 | Learning Center Fund | 9 | |
| 6 | Burris General Fund | 8 | |
| 7 | Department of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies | 6 | |
| 8 | Speech Pathology and Audiology | 4 | |
| 9 | Dr. Paul W. Parkison Fund for Accounting Excellence | 3 | |
| 10 | Michael Bauer Debate Fund | 3 | |
| 11 | Psychological Science General | 3 | |
| 12 | CCIM Dean's Fund | 3 | |
| 13 | Graduate Student Research Support Fund | 2 | |
| 14 | University College General | 2 | |
| 15 | Aquatics Program Development Fund | 2 |
Ended
College Leaderboard
The four colleges with the biggest percentage of money raised from OBSD 2025 will receive $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 and $500.
| Rank | Prize | College | % +/- | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3,000 | Teachers College | +260.28% |
$165,077.10
goal: $45,819.00
|
| 2 | $2,000 | College of Health | +56.82% |
$94,393.86
goal: $60,194.00
|
| 3 | $1,000 | College of Sciences and Humanities | +14.83% |
$69,831.79
goal: $60,811.00
|
| 4 | $500 | College of Fine Arts | +14.02% |
$160,177.42
goal: $140,480.00
|
| 5 | Miller College of Business | +7.52% |
$133,851.87
goal: $124,491.00
|
|
| 6 | College of Communication, Information, and Media | -4.40% |
$64,849.42
goal: $67,835.00
|
|
| 7 | Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning | -13.84% |
$32,120.46
goal: $37,280.00
|
Ended
Student Donor Challenge
5 randomly selected student donors will receive $250 to designate to the fund of their choice.
Completed
The First Four Challenge
The first student, employee, parent, and alumni donor will each receive $250 given to the fund their gift went to.
Completed
First 5 Academic Departments
The first 5 academic departments to receive a gift will each receive $500 in challenge funds.
Completed
First International Alum Challenge
The first international alum to make a gift from abroad on One Ball State Day will get $500 in challenge funds designated to the fund their gift went to.
Completed
10AM—Noon Leaderboard
The five units/areas/teams that raise the most money from 10 a.m. — Noon each receive $1,000 in challenge funds.
| Rank | Prize | Unit/Area/Department | Raised |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,000 | Men's Golf | $16,157.00 |
| 2 | $1,000 | Gymnastics | $5,392.34 |
| 3 | $1,000 | Field Hockey | $5,165.00 |
| 4 | $1,000 | Theatre & Dance | $4,556.64 |
| 5 | $1,000 | Indiana Academy | $4,537.08 |
| 6 | Men's Tennis | $3,825.52 | |
| 7 | Women's Volleyball | $3,191.76 | |
| 8 | Communication Studies | $3,185.30 | |
| 9 | Soccer | $3,105.00 | |
| 10 | Football | $2,760.78 | |
| 11 | Accounting | $2,286.04 | |
| 12 | Men's Swimming & Diving | $2,075.26 | |
| 13 | Nutrition & Health Science | $2,045.52 | |
| 14 | Men's Volleyball | $2,041.04 | |
| 15 | Miller College of Business | $1,880.26 |
Ended
Afternoon Leaderboard
The five departments/areas/programs with the most donors between 3-5 p.m. will each receive $1,000 in challenge dollars.
| Rank | Prize | Department | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,000 | Theatre & Dance | 59 |
| 2 | $1,000 | Field Hockey | 59 |
| 3 | $1,000 | Indiana Academy | 53 |
| 4 | $1,000 | Communication Studies | 38 |
| 5 | $1,000 | Soccer | 36 |
| 6 | Gymnastics | 26 | |
| 7 | Men's Volleyball | 21 | |
| 8 | Accounting | 17 | |
| 9 | Football | 17 | |
| 10 | Men's Tennis | 16 | |
| 11 | Burris Laboratory School | 16 | |
| 12 | Spectrum | 15 | |
| 13 | Ball State University Police Department | 14 | |
| 14 | Cross Country/Track & Field | 13 | |
| 15 | Men's Golf | 12 |
Ended
Most Donors - Unit Leaderboard
The five departments/areas/programs with the most donors by midnight will each receive $1,000
| Rank | Prize | Department | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,000 | Theatre & Dance | 517 |
| 2 | $1,000 | Indiana Academy | 310 |
| 3 | $1,000 | Field Hockey | 232 |
| 4 | $1,000 | Gymnastics | 190 |
| 5 | $1,000 | Communication Studies | 183 |
| 6 | Football | 143 | |
| 7 | Accounting | 130 | |
| 8 | Soccer | 125 | |
| 9 | School of Music | 121 | |
| 10 | Men's Tennis | 108 | |
| 11 | Cross Country/Track & Field | 95 | |
| 12 | Men's Volleyball | 93 | |
| 13 | Burris Laboratory School | 91 | |
| 14 | Men's Golf | 84 | |
| 15 | Department of Media | 78 |
Ended
Ball State Employee Social Media Challenge
Faculty and staff social media challenge! Share a photo of your 'Because of Ball State' postcard to share how Ball State has shaped who you are today—or what you and your area have been able to accomplish because of Ball State. Be sure to stamp your post with #OneBallState and #BecauseOfBallState. Two random participants will get to donate $500 in challenge funds toward their favorite area.
Completed
Social Media Video Share Challenge
Share any of the One Ball State Day videos on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram Stories, or TikTok using #OneBallState for a chance to earn extra challenge dollars. Two participants will get to donate $500 to their favorite area. Tag @BSUFoundation or @BallStateAlumni ❤️
Completed
LinkedIn Challenge
Share a One Ball State Day post on LinkedIn on April 1st for a chance to designate $1,000 to your favorite Ball State area! Use #OneBallState and tag the Ball State Foundation!
Completed
Paint the U.S. Cardinal Red
Paint the U.S. Cardinal Red. Gifts from all 50 states will unlock $5,000 from the Alumni Council to Ball States greatest needs.
Completed
Because of Ball State Video Challenge
Share your “Because of Ball State” video with #OneBallState for a chance to win $1,000 in challenge dollars to support the area of your choice. We’ll select three winners!
Completed
CCIM Dean's Morning Dash
CCIM Dean Kristen McCauliff will donate $500 to the unit within the College of Communication, Information, and Media that raises the most money within this one-hour period (8am—9am).
| Rank | Prize | CCIM Unit | Raised |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $500 | Communication Studies | $1,265.52 |
| 2 | Center for Information & Communication Sciences | $770.26 | |
| 3 | School of Journalism and Strategic Communication | $335.26 | |
| 4 | Ball State Student Media | $150.00 | |
| 5 | Department of Media | $130.26 | |
| 6 | Sports Link | $0.00 |
Ended
CCIM Dean's Evening Rush
Dean Kristen McCauliff will donate $500 to the unit within the College of Communication, Information, and Media that raises the most money within this one-hour period (5pm—6pm).
| Rank | Prize | Department | Raised |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $500 | Center for Information & Communication Sciences | $1,270.00 |
| 2 | Communication Studies | $930.26 | |
| 3 | Department of Media | $155.00 | |
| 4 | School of Journalism and Strategic Communication | $150.00 | |
| 5 | Ball State Student Media | $100.00 | |
| 6 | Sports Link | $30.00 |
Ended
Dave Fox Journalism Challenge
Once Journalism Scholarships raises $300, it will unlock a $300 gift.
$300 / $300 Raised
Completed
Charlene Alexander Chief Strategy Office Challenge
Dr. Charlene Alexander, Chief Strategy Officer, will give $600 to the Chief Strategy Office Unit that generates $600 in gifts on One Ball State Day.
Completed
Provost Marri College Challenge
Top 3 colleges in number of donors will unlock $250 for 1st place, $150 for 2nd place and $100 for 3rd place from Provost Marri.
| Rank | Prize | Department | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $250 | College of Fine Arts | 723 |
| 2 | $150 | Teachers College | 670 |
| 3 | $100 | College of Communication, Information, and Media | 512 |
| 4 | Miller College of Business | 429 | |
| 5 | College of Sciences and Humanities | 399 | |
| 6 | College of Health | 286 | |
| 7 | Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning | 190 |
Ended
Registrar Staff Challenge
April Hay, University Registrar, will match up to $250 of her staff’s donations during OBSD.
Completed
